2013-14 Iowa State Wrestling Season in Review

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State wrestling team (9-7 overall, 1-2 Big 12) finished its 2013-14 campaign with another strong showing at the NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City, finishing just outside the top-10 with three wrestlers on the All-American podium for the second straight season.

Earl Hall (125 pounds):- 2014 All-American (eighth-place).- One of six unseeded wrestlers across all weight divisions to earn All-America honors.- Finished the season 22-15 overall and 7-4 in duals.- Finished the seasons tied for second on the team in pins with six.

Shayden Terukina (133 pounds):- Finished the season 6-14 overall and 3-6 in duals.- Posted first career dual win on Jan. 17 over Rutgers Vinnie Dellefave, 3-2.

Gabe Moreno (141 pounds):- 2014 NCAA-qualifier.- Went 2-2 at first career NCAA Championship with a fall from the neutral position over No. 16 seed Joe Spisak in the wrestle backs.- 2014 Big 12 runner-up. - Upset top-seed Colin Johnston of West Virginia 9-4 in the opening round at the Big 12 Championship for his first win since Jan. 2.- Finished the season 18-21 overall.- Selected to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.

Luke Goettl (149 pounds): - Picked up career win No. 40 after downing Michael DePalama of Kent State 11-8 at the NWCA National Duals on Feb. 16.- Finished the season 14-15 overall and 8-8 in duals.- Notched two major decisions and one tech fall.

John Nicholson (157 pounds):- Won his first career match as a Cyclone with a pin over Grand View’s Qunten Haynes.- Picked up career win No. 70 on Jan. 1 at the Southern Scuffle with a 9-2 win over Bucknell’s Logan Kerin.- Finished the year 11-15 overall and 3-9 in duals.- Tallied two pins and one major decision.

Michael Moreno (165 pounds):- 2014 All-American (fifth-place).- 38th two-time All-American in program history.- Led the team in wins for the second straight year with 31.- Went 5-2 at the NCAA Championships, finishing the tournament with a 9-3 win in the fifth-place match over The Citadel’s Turtogtokh Luvsandorj, avenging a loss from earlier in the season at the Southern Scuffle- Finished the year 31-9 overall and 12-3 in duals.- Led team in bonus point wins with six pins, five major decisions and two tech falls.

Tanner Weatherman (174 pounds):- 2014 NCAA-qualifier (round of 12).- Went 3-2 at the NCAA Championships with a first period fall over Chattanooga’s Levi Clemmons in the opening round. - Lost in the round of 12 for the second consecutive season, dropping a 3-2 decision to No. 7 seed Tyler Wilps of Pitt. - Picked up career win No. 40 over Arizona State’s Ray Waters on Feb. 1.- Finished the season tied for third on the team in wins after going 25-16 overall and 8-7 in duals. - Notched three pins and two tech falls.

Lelund Weatherspoon (184 pounds):- 2014 NCAA-qualfier. - Went 1-2 at his first career NCAA Championship with losses to the No. 3 and 4 seeds. - 2014 Big 12 champion after beating Oklahoma State’s Nolan Boyd 4-3 in the title match with a late takedown. - First freshman Big 12 champion in program history since heavyweight David Zabriskie in 2007. - Finished the season tied for third on the team in wins after going 25-11 overall and 6-3 in duals.

Kyven Gadson (197 pounds):- 2014 All-American (fourth-place).- 39th two-time All-American in program history. - Went 5-2 at the NCAA Championships, tallying two pins over seeded wrestlers. Both losses were to No. 4 seed Scott Schiller of Minnesota. - 2014 Big 12 champion after downing Travis Rutt of Oklahoma 3-1 in the title bout for his second straight conference crown. - Became first father-son duo with late dad, Willie, to be two-time conference champions and two-time All-Americans. - Picked up career win No. 60 in emphatic fashion with a pin over No. 14 seed Chris Penny of Virginia Tech in the consolation semifinals of the NCAA Championships.- Finished the year 30-4 and 15-0 in duals for the second straight year. - Led the team in pins with nine. Also posted three major decisions and one tech fall.- Selected to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.

Quean Smith (285 pounds):- Finished first collegiate season 9-15 overall and 5-6 in duals. - Beat NCAA-qualifier Ross Larson of Oklahoma both times they met.- Brought the fans of Hilton Coliseum to their feet Dec. 1 vs. in-state rival Iowa after he downed Terrance Jean-Jacques 6-4 in the first sudden victory period.- Tallied four pins and one major decision.

2014-15 Season Outlook

The Cyclones return all six NCAA-qualifiers next season and will look to make a push back to the top of the collegiate wrestling ranks. Kyle Larson (125), Luke Goettl (149), Logan Molina (157) and Quean Smith (285) bring loads of starting experience back to the lineup. Look for John Meeks (141), Blayne Briceno (149), Daniel Woiwor (157) and Dane Pestano (197) also to make a splash and contribute next season.